Utilizing acid sludge from refining petroleum.



J. c. BLACK & M. L. GHAPPELL. UTILIZING ACID SLUDGE FROM BEFINING PETROLEUM.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T. 21, 1910.

Patented July 2, 1912.

fm WL,

l). Wig..

E i Grimeu J. C. BLAGKL L. CHAPPBLL. UTILIZING ACID SLUDGE FROM BEPINING PETROLEUM.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T. 21, 1910.

' Patented July 2, 19x12.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lUNI-TED srarrns PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. BLACK AND MARVIN L. CHAPPELL, OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOBS TO STANDARD OIL COMPANY, 0F CALIFORNIA.

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF 'u'rILIzINe ACID sLUDeE mom REFINING rETaoLEUM.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN C. BLACK and MARVIN L. CHArPnLL, both of us citizens of theUnited States, and residents of Richmond, in the county of Contra Costa and Stateof California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Utilizing Acid Sludge from Refining Petroleum, of which improvements the following is a specification.

This invent-ionLrelates more particularly to the utilization for making sulfuric anhydrid of the sulfur content of the oily liquid, heavier than petroleum and black or brown in color, which is formed when petroleum in the form of burning oil (kerosene) distillate or in other form, 1s brought into intimate contact with sulfuric acid of appropriatestrength or with sulfuric anhydrld. When the mixture is allowed to stand, this liquid, known as acid sludge, settles out and can be drawn off from below the refined oil. But each of the improvements composing the invention is intended to be secured for all the uses to which it can be applied'with or without modification.

Upon heating to appropriate temperature, 'i

acid sludge decomposes with liberation of sulfur dioxid and other aeriform products; and a process has heretofore been devised in which t-he aeriform products of such de; composition, after cooling` to se arate the l readily condensable constituents hydrocarbons) and burning to remove the remaining combustible constituents, and also after removal of the water vapor formed by said burning and the supply (in or after said burning) of the air needed for conversion of the sulfur dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid, are passed over 4catalytic material in the known way for making sulfuric anhydrid the acid sludge having been heated by itself to upward of 500 F. in order to effect its said decomposition. Upon treating California petroleum in the form of burning oil distillate with fuming sulfuric acid or anhydrid and subjecting the, resulting acid sludge to this prior process, the yield of sulfuric anhydrid (in our experience) has represented only about one-half of the sulfur content of the decomposed sludge; and in the light of our investigations and of the known fact that the yleld of sulfuric anhy- Specification of Letters Patent.

l Application led ctobcr 21, 1910. Serial No. 588321.

' drid b Patented July 2, 1912.

the catalytic method is reduced when tie percentage of sulfur dioxid in the gases to be catalyzed is unduly small, we attribute said small yield to the larve pro ortion of combustible and not readily con ensable constituents (hydrogen sulfid and sulfured and unsulfured hydrocarbons) in the aeriform products which resultfrom decomposing the acid sludge as heretofore proposed. Said constituents require so much air to effect their combustion that the percentage of sulfur dioxid in the gases prepared for the catalyzing operation is too small (as we believe) to allow the conversion of more than about half of it into sulfuric anhydrid. The amount of carbon dioxid present may also be a not unimportant factor in reducing the yield. Other forms of acid sludge, as that from treating said California distillate with non-fuming sul-4 furic acid; for from treating California petroleum in other forms, or from treating other petroleum in any form with fuming or non-fuming sulfuric acid or with sulfuric anhydrid, may or may not evolve as great a proportion of combustible and not readily condensable constituents; but we believe that in most cases, if not universally, sufficient of these constituents would be evolved to produce an undesirable dilution .or contamination or both of the gases to be catalyzed.

By the aid of the present invent-ion, starting with acid sludge from treating said California distillate with fumingv sulfuric acid or with sulfuric anhydrid, we have obtained a yield of sulfuric anhydrid nearly, if not quite, as large in proportion to the sulfur content of the starting material as that obtained (say about 95 per cent.) in the current l manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by passage over catalytic material of the gases from the combustion of elementary sulfur or of p rites in an appropriate excess of air. By aldI of the invention we havealso obtained other important advantages, as

Vhereinafter set fort the present invention, 1n the presence of air In accordance with acid sludge is heated which is brought into sludge in process of decomposition at appropriate temperatures, with the result (as we .have discovered) 'that the liberation of hycontact with the liquid cally with av solvent of highly volatile drogeii suld and of sulfured hydrocarbons can be substantially reduced, if not practirevented, without corresponding (if any su stantial) formation of water and carbon dioxid and without increase (but with a diminution, in fact) of unsulfured and not readily condensable hydrocarbons. Theaii' is best introduced into the liquid sludge. Further, by heating said sludgev in presence of air as aforesaid the decomposition of said sludge can be effected (as we have discovered) at lower temperatures than those required when the said sludge is heated by itself; and in the present inventiomtherefore, the acid sludge, tion of sulfur dioxid for catalytic conversion into sulfuric anhydrid, is kept at\,such comparatively low temperatures (say, best not above 350 F.). Thus the formation is reduced of hydrocarbons not readily condensable. 'When'j heated by itself, said sludge'has .(in our experience) to be raised to above 425 F. in order to get off as much as 50 per cent. of its sulfur content which is available for the formation of SO, while over `85 per cent. of such sulfur content can be driven off by heating as aforesaid in presence` of air without exceeding about 350 F. Also, in accordance with-the present invention, the aeriform products from decomposing acid sludge are passed (best after cooling to separate the-readily condensable constituents therefrom) in contact hydrobarbons, which solvent is not volatile under the conditions of its employment, best a hydrocarbon oil of higher boiling point than burning oil (kerosene) and free from light products, say a petroleum distillate of 28 B.

or heavier gravity and a flash point of 212 F. orl over, or a reduced crude oil of similar gravity and flash; and hydrocarbons which are not readily condensable are thus removed from said aeriform produc-ts. Moreover, before the acid sludge is subjected t0 the principal decomposing operation, it is heated sufficiently to effect the decomposition of its more readily decomposable sulfur compounds and is washed (best while said' decomposition is taking place) with a solvent of hydrocarbons, which solvent will sepa-` rate from the sludge by gravity, best alight oil, such as petroleum naphtha; so that the hydrocarbon components of the so decomposed sulfur compounds are preliminarily removed by the sludge to'break peratures subsequently employed into bodies which arel not readily'condensable. An ndvantage in using alight oil is that it can be distilled off. from the hydrocarbons in solution therein, sludge.

The features mentioned ar'e best usedall of them combination as parts of one procat least during collecthe solvent and do not remain' iuup at the higher tem-n after decanting 'from the` ess of making sulfuric anhydrid' by catalytic conversion of sulfur dioxid derived from acid sludge; and we have invented also an apparatus, hereinafter described, for performing such process; but the invention includes not only said rocess and apparatus, each of them as a who e, but also all and singular the new, useful and original parts, improvements and lesser combinations herein disclosed, as well of process as of apparatus.

Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing, taken together, constitute a` diagram of a plant for making sulfuric anhyy drid in accordance with the invention and for using the so made sulfuric anhydrid to treat petroleum in accordance 'with the invent-ion of J ohnC. Black, above named, described and claimed in his patent yof August 30, 1910, No. 968,@40, the resulting sludge being utilized in making-more sulfuric anhydrid to be used as aforesaid all in one cycle of operations; but the sulfuric anhydrid made from the acid sludge can be used as ma be desired; and the acid sludge to be utilized may result from any desired treatment of petroleum. The appliances inthe upperi parts of the two figures would in use be at the of said figures; although they could be l0- cated above them, if preferred.

As shown, the sulfuric anhydrid from" the level of those in the lower parts Y lcatalyzing element a (Say a platinum element) is introduced in itslo'riginaltgaseous state of catalytic formation and in admixture with diluent gas into the petroleum to be,tr eated in the agitator b through the perforated coil c immersed *in saidpetro- -leum and located at the end-.of pipe d'.l Reaction takes place in the agitator between the petroleum and the 'gaseoua sulfuric an-l hydrid, with-formation of acid sludge. The diluent gas, may accompanying it iscarried olf by the vent pipe e leadingto any desired point.

Aftea charge of oil has been treated, the sludge -is allowed to settle; and it is then drawn off by the pipe f into a storage tank `g,*the gaseous sulfuric anhyd'rid being directedl into another agitator which has been supplied witha charge of oil;=or it is directed elsewhere, g the sludge is supplied by pipe h to pump k; which delivers it by pipe Z into the pre-f liminary decomposer and washer m. After a vcharge of sludge has been supplied to this latter, said charge is heated by the close steam coil n to a su'icient temperature to with such 'aeriform bodies as i if so desired. From tank decompose the readily decomposable sulfur of hydrocarbons and is light in gravity as comparedwith ythe acid sludge so that the two will separate on standing. The washing 7may be performed in any known or suitable \vay.: A charge of the solvent liquid can be added toy the charge of sludge in vessel m; the two can then be mixed together by air or b v stirring devices until the washing and partial decomposition are complete; the whole can be allowed to stand; and the washed and partly decomposed sludge can be drawn oliA by pipe p from under the lighter liquid and be delivered into storage tank q; from 'which it is supplied by pipe lr to pump e; which delivers it through pipe t into the main decomposing vessel u. It is also possible to heat the acid sludge by itself in vessel m in order to effect a partial decomposition as aforesaid and then to wash the residual sludge in the same or in another vessel in order to remove liquid hydrocarbons from said residual sludge before charging it into the vessel u; but it is considered more advantageous to effect the washing concurrently with such partial decomposition. As shown, the gasolene or other solvent liquid withdrawn from tank l .w through'pipe a' is delivered by pump y into the bottom of vessel 'm2,' it rises through lthe sludge, carrying with it the hydrocarbons dissolved thereby; and it returns through pipe .a to the tank fw. lVh'en air is used for agitating the quantity should not be so great as unduly to dilute the sulfur dioxid given off from the acid sludge.

At the temperature in the vessel m the readily decolnposable sulfur compounds are broken up, with formation of sulfur dioxid `which passes out by the pipe 2 and hydrocarbons which dissolve in the'solvent liquid. Oil composed of these hydrocarbons can be obtained by separat-ing them from the sol-v vent liquid.. If gasolene is used asr such liquid, it can be distilled ofl'l from the hydrocarbons. The solvent liquid is withdrawn as it becomes charged to the desired extent with dissolved hydrocarbons; and fresh liquid is supplied.

The gaseous sulfur dioxid is passed through condenser coil 3 in tank 4, which is kept full of cold water, to separate any hydrocarbons which may have passed over with the sulfur dioxid in liquid or in vapor form. It then passes on by pi e 5 to join the main stream of sulfur dioxid from the decomposition of the sludge in the vessel u. This vessel u (which may be of iron) is arranged to be heated and is provided with means for introducing air into the liquid space.' As shown it is horizontally disposed 1:and yis of cylindrical or,

better, of somewhat elliptical form in vertical cross section, the

major axis of the ellipse being vertical so as to allow more room for foaming without increasing the horizontal diameter of the vessel. It is mounted .over the fire boxes 6 `having flues 7 for escape ofthe products of combustion and pipes 8 for supplying liquid or gaseous fuel; or .solid fuel can be used.

At the bottoni of the vessel is the perforated distributing pipe 9 at the end of the air pipe 10. i

Air is best drawn into the vessel u by exhaustion produced say by a rotary blower 11; with which the dome 12 of said vessel u is connected through the condensing coil 13 and scrubb rs 14 and 15 and the vintervening pipes 1641i, 18,19. The air may be taken :u at atmospheric temperature; but it is adL ".mtageous toheat it preliminarily to the temperature of the sludge in vessel u in order to relieve the bottom of vessel u of the duty of supplying the heat which cooler air would take from the sludge. Such preliminary heating can be effected without extra expense for fuel by using the gases from flues 7 in the air heater 20, in which aV heating coil 21 connected with the air pipe 10 is shown.

The outlet of blower 11 is connected by pipe 22 with the scrubber 23; and the outlet of the latter is connected by ipe 24 with a sulfur or pyrites burner 25; lietween which and the platinum element a are shown acyclonie or centrifugal dust separator 26 (connected by pipe 27 with the burner 25), a dust filter 28 (connected by pipe 29 'with the outlet from the centrifugal separator 26), a scrubber 30 (connected by pipe 31 with the outlet of filter 28), a filter 32 for liquid particles in suspension (connected by pipe 23 with the outlet of scrubber 30), and' a p mp 34 (connected by pipe 35 with the outlet of filter 32 and havin a pipe 36 leading from its own outlet to t e platinum element a). the burner 25 and the platinum element a may be of any known or suitable description adapted to prepare the products of combustion of sulfur or pyrites in air for catalyzing and including means for removing water vapor from said products; but the series shown is as well adapted for the purposes of the present invention as any with which we are acquainted. The platlnum element may be fitted with a pre-filter, if desired, and also with a pre-heater, depending upon the type of platinum element.

The scrubbers 14, 15, 23 and 30 have each of them a body of granular coke or other like material in their upper parts for removingl liquid particles in suspension from the aeriform fluids, said material resting on a perforated floor or `grating 37. The filter The series of appliances between,

32 has a bed of dry slag sand (a known material for the purification of gases to be catalyzed); which rests also on a perforated floor or grating 37. The scrubbers 15, 23 and 30 have each o'f them a liquid s ace at the bottom and a perforated distrlbuting coil 38 in said space at the end of the pipe 18, 22, or 31, respectively, connecting the scrubbers with the outlet of the 'precedin vessel of the series; .so that the vapors an l can dust collects thereon. New material is then f after leaving times to twice as much free oxygen as'of sulfur dioxid. In practice a number (say lfive) 'liquid in scrubbers `unit of time.

gases bubble up 15 and 30 is concentrated sulfuric' acid, that in the scrubber 23 .is a liquidv (say a petroleum distillate of 28 B. or heavier gravity with a flash point of 212 F. or more, or reduced crude petroleumof such gravity and ofhydrocarbons. densable. 1

In the dust filter 28 the filling of coke,

'lava-or the like rests upon dumplng gratos V so that material at and'near the bottom l be removed from timeto time, as'the supplied through the hopper 40 at the top. The condenser coil which is lkept full of cold water.

In filling the fvessel u with sludge the -upper third as to obtain a good stream of aeriform prodbest regulated so that y uct's; and the air is the gases prepared. for'catalyzlng (that is, the filter 32 as shown)v will contain by volume about one and a .half

of the vesselsl u (preferably Seachv with its own condensing coil'13') would be connected by a manifold with one purifying system;

and these vessels u would be charged in Vro-` tation at .-such intervals that l' the charges could be worked contemporaneously (except, of course,

run. In this waya stream of sulfur. dioxid, oxygen, nitrogen'and carbon dioxid can be obtained uniform, or nearly uniform, both in composition and in quantity supplied per lThe endeavor .should be to maintain a composition by volume of 8 to 10 per cent. sulfur dioxid and 14 to 15 per cent. oxygen. If necessary, or desired, air can be introduced into the system at any point before the scrubber 30; or, if the air is free from water vapor, it canl be introduced subsequently. The vmaintenance of a partial vacuum in vessel u, as by the suction of the blower 11, isconsidered advantageous; vbut 'it is not essential to good results. The vacuum in the vessel u may well be that required to draw the desired proportion of air into and through the acid sludgev therein; but the invention is not restricted in this regard. The vacuum is believed to have the effect of lowering the temperature of the decomposition as well as of inducing an inflow of air. When the contents of any vessel u attains through Such liquid. .The

flash) which is a solvent that are not readily con- 'y 13 is mclosed in tank 41; l

' a vessel ucontain only about 1% per cent. of

at least would best be left vacant for reception of foam. The vessel and its-fv sludge are gradually raisedfin; with admissionl of air oflabout vthe liquid sludge distributer while a vessel would ybe 'emptied and re-suppliedwith sludge), but with the. severalcharges at different stages of` the.

a temperature of about 350 F. we have found thatitis entirely feasible to discontinue the introduction of air into that vessel as the decomposition will then have been effected of the sulfur compounds whose decomposition without air would producev permanent gases, (or not readily condensable ucts from 'any vessel u contain so low a perthe percentage in the gases from all the vessels, the aeriform products from that vessel are disposed of otherwise or the fires under said vessel are discontinued and the vessel (when cool) is emptied and recharged with slud e.v When said aeriform products from sulfur dioxid it is considered time to cut it oft' from the system for-making sulfuric ansirable tofstop the introduction of air into the sludge in vessel u atabout 350 F. is that .at h1' her temperatures chemical combinations ta e place etween the oxygen of the air and hydrocarbons in the sludge. Possibly :some' such 'combinations occur at and below'about'350 F.; but they do so (if at all) to a comparatively small extent only.-

" If lit is desired to obtain coke the heating ofthe sludge residue is continued (air remaining cut off) until said; residue is re duced todryness. The aeriform products valve therein being opened, and that in pipe 16 beyond its junction with pipe 42 being closed. The quality of the coke thus obtained is believed toibe improved by the fact .thatsludge has been decomposed in presence of air in contact'with the liquid sludge unof the `freedom of said coke from products which would be formed by heating the sludge by itself to the higher temperatures then needed to effect decomposition of the ing the heating with introduction of air are more in quantity and better in quality than would be obtained by heating the sludge by itself;`because, for one reason at least, they less decomposition. The preliminary partial decomposition and washing ofv the' sludge `are believed to improve .the quality of the coke and of aeriform products.

More than one air pipe may well be provided. for each vessel u; and each such pipe may advantageously pass through a stufling box onl` thetopof the vessel u; so that it can be drawn up out of the sludge residue when the 'introduction of air is stopped and thus not bein the way in cleaning out the vessel.

a pipe .discharging airpinto the sludge would @mangue/composition Imla1y by reason l the oils, aswell as of the` constituents); and when the aeriform prodcentage of sulfur dioxid as unduly to reduce hydrid. .The reason for considering it def .may be taken o by a branch pipe 42, the

ibs

sulfur compounds. The'oils obtained durare given ofat lower temperatures and with i Even without a distributer on its outlet end,

be effect-ive Within a certain radius in bring-A ing air into contact wit-h the sludge undergoing decomposition.

- in sulfur dioxid, is cooled in coil 13 to separate condensable constituents (mainly hydrocarbons and water). It is deprived of liquid particles in suspension by passage through the granular coke or other l1ke material in the upper part of scrubber 14. It is dried by the concentrated sulfuric acid in the lower part of scrubber 15 and freed from entrained particles of li uid in passing through the granular' coke or other like material in the upper part of this scrubber. In the' lower part of scrubber 23 it is subjected to contact with the heavy petroleum distillate or reduced crude oil to separate the previously uncondensed hydrocarbons absorbable therein; and it is freed from entrained particles of liquid by passage through the granular coke or other like material in the upper part of the scrubber. In the pipe 24 itis joined by the aeriform products fromcondensing coil 3; or these roducts (passing through branch pipe 43)) can be united to it in. pipe 19. In burner 25 the mixture is heated to combustion temperature to burn whatever combustible constituents there may be in it, air sufficient t0 effect the combustion being present. And finally after separation of dust, by centrifugal action in separator 26, and by filtering through coke, lava or other suitable dust filtering material'i'n filter 28 and of water by passage through concentrated sulfuric acid in the lower part of scrubber 30 (with removal of ent-rained particles of liquid by passage through t-he granular coke or other like material in t-he upper part of scrubber 30 and also through the dry slag sand of filter 32) the purified gaseous mixture is passed at appropriate temperature under any known or suitable conditions through the platinum element a or a number of such elements arranged as may be desired (or the purified aeriform products may be passed over any suitable catalytic substance). for the conversion of the sulfur dioxid therein into sulfuric anhydrid.

The loss of sulfur which occurs in a cycle of operations can3 be supplied by the element-ary sulfur or pyrites which is burned in burner 25; or more than enough elementary sulfur or pyrites than is required to supply such loss can be burned in said burner, and part of the resulting sulfuric anhydrid be taken ofi for other uses. Should it not be desired to use a sulfur or pyrites burner, the aeriform products from scrubber 23 could be passed through' pipes heated to the temperature of ignition so as to effect a combination of the combustible constituents and this is lof said products with the oxygen in admixture therewith and the loss in sulfur in the cycle of operations could then be supplied as m1 ht be preferred. After passage throu such pipes, the aeriform fluids shoul be. passed through scrubber 30 and dry filter 32; but the dust separators 26 and 28 would be useless. The sulfuric anhydrid can be collected and fuming or nonfuming sulfuric acid or otherwise, all in any known or suitable way. The preliminary washing of the acid slud e can be omitted (if desired); but it is a vantageous to use it; and it can be em loyed.

usefully should it be desired to util1ze the washed sludge otherwise than as herein described.

In purifying the aeriform products from decomposing acid sludgeby heat preparatory to passing the purified catalytic materlal for converting the sulfur dioxid therein into sulfuric anhydrid, while it is considered that the best resultsuare attainedby the application of the following purifying operations, at least to'.the aeriform products from decomposing the main part of said sludge, namely: (1) cooling to products over used as such, or to form separate readily condensable constituents,

(2) contact with sulfuric acid to separate water vapor, (3) contact with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable to remove the constituents absorbable by said solvent, (4) heating to combustion temperature in presence of air to burn the combustible constituents, and (5) contact with sulfuric acid to separate water vapor, yet,`

if the results would be satisfactory, any one `or more of said operations can be omitted or be replaced by other operations of a similar character, and the order of operations is v not necessarily invariable. Operation numbered (3) might, for example, precede that numbered (2).l Additional purifying operations can be used, if desired.

The heating of the acid sludge under a partial vacuum or sub-atmospheric ressure, and the heating of it in a vessel of orizontal tubular form, elliptical in cross section with the major axis vertical, would. (either or both of them) be useful should it be desired to decompose acid sludge without the introduction of air' into contact `with the sludge undergoing decomposition, and so in such case would the introduction into the decomposing vessel of air above theliquid' sludge or of a non-oxidizing aeriform fiuid either above or below or partly above and partly below the surface o said liquid; but the main advantage of using air is only obtained by bringing it into contact with the liquid slud e `undergoin decomposition;

est effected y discharging it into the liquid sludge. If the ai'r were delivered into the vessel u above the sludge, its

. may

4- as for. v example,

ois of other .than petroleum origin, fatty:y

Aquently have resulted in the formationfof hydrogen suld andzsulfuied h drocarbons that are not readily condensab e. 80, too, it would have little eifect, if any, in-lowering thej'f temperature. at V4which the sludge should decompose. VIn fact, the oxidizing actionv ofthe air in contact with the liquid sludge undergoing-decomposition is of the greatestv importance. If notlprohibitive on the score of expense, other forms of oxygen can be used in place of air. The expression, therefore, of a1r in the hereinafter written claims is intended toinclude by extension any available form' of oxygen.

' The sulfur dioxid obtained by decomposing acid sludge and purifying the resulting aeriform mixture as herein set forth up to its passage over catalytic material (or by the aid of any'T partl of -such operations) can be utilized otherwise than for the catalytic lformation of sulfuric anhydrid. It can be used, lfor example, in the manufacture of sulfuric acid in lead chambers or of sulfiteand bisulfite salts, -and so on. Other modiications'can be made.

So far as we are aware, we are the vfirst to operate as herein vset forth on any material which is largely (i-f not wholly) composed of oily substances and sulfuric acid or anhydrid or of products resulting from the interaction of oily substances and sulfuric acid or anhydrid, and which consequently evolves sulfuric dioxid in utilizable quantity at temperatures below 500 FL It is believed that operations of thecharacter of those herein above v'set forth can benecially be applied to other materials of this description as well as to acid sludge from refinin petroleum. While, therefore, the aci sludge of the hereinafter written claims is primarily -this latter material, it includes'by extension be observed, have heretoforeV been obtained in treating oily substances of'various descriptions with sulfuricacid or anhydrid, in treatingv `hydrocarbon oi1s,"re'sins,.waxes, 4and the like; and mixheating the same tures of oily Ysubstances and sulfuric. acid or anhydridcan, ofcourse, be made'. A mixture, for example, of petroleum and *sulfuric acid has ,beenproposed for the manufacture of a special carbon or coke therefrom by to a high4 temperature.

Also, as far as weare aware, we' are the first A to purify aeriform products, 'evolved at temperatures below.500 F. from any material which has a large content of sulfur and isv largely vat least com stances, by subjecting t e so evolved aerithe former also. Acid sludges, it;

osed'- of oily sub-l I wafels? c 'form products tb'- '.purifying operations 'i 'L'of the same .with a f It is believedthat such?. puri ing beneficially be applied need not necessarily l v have its sulfur content in the formA which the-sulfur'has in sulfuric acid or anhydrid or in products of the interaction of oily substances and sulfuric acid or anhydrid. While, therefore, the sulfur bearin oily material of the hereinafter written c aims, in which such material is recited, is primarily acid sludge from refining petroleum, and includes by extension 'other material which is composed largely (if not wholly) of oily substances and sulfuric acid or anhydrid or of 'productsJof the interaction of olly substances and sulfuric acidor anhydrid, it is also intended by further extension to include other known or `suitable oilymaterial which has a large content of sulfur and evolves aeriform products below 500.919.'l

:sov4

l tic material for converting the sulfur ioxid therein into sulfuric stantially as described.

2. The rocessl of utilizing the sulfur lcon- -tent of acid sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, by' subjecting the sludge to a dcanhydrid, subair introduced into a body of the liquid sludge below the surface thereof, purifying the, resulting aeriform products, and passingthe purified products over catalytic material for converting the sulfur dioxid therein into sulfuric anhydrid, Asubstantially as described.v j

3. The process of utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, by decomposing the s udge in contact 'withair atl va temperature` not vabove 425? "F., purifyingv the resulting aeriform products', and `'jgrassing the puried products over catalyt-ic materlal for converting the sulfur'dioxid therein into sulfuric anhydrid,' substantially as described. A

t 4. The rocessof utilizing the sulfur content of'acid sludge for making sulfuric an-l hydrid, by heating the sludge to effect its decomposition, subjecting the resulting aeriform products to purifying operations which composing temperature in thepresence of.

include contact with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable in order to remove constituents absorbable b said solvent, and passing the urified pro ucts ,over catalytic material or converting the sulfur dioxid therein into sulfuric anhydrid, substantially as described.

5. The rocess of utilizing the sulfur content lof acld sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, by heating the sludge to effect a partial decomposition of it, vvashino` liquid hydrocarbons 'out'of the residual s udge, heating the latter to effect its decomposition purifying the aeriform roducts from at least the latter decomposltion, and passing the purified products over catalytic material for converting sulfur dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid, subst-antially as described.

6. The process of utilizing the sulfur content of ac1d sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, by heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effecta partial decomposition of said sludge, separating said solvent with the hydrocarbons in solution therein from the residual sludge, heating the latter to effect its decomposition, purifying the aeriform products from at least the latter decomposltion, and passing the purified products over catalytic material for converting sulfur dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid, substantially as described.

v 7. The process of utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, by heating the sludge inpresence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effecta decomposition of said sludge, purifying the resulting aeriform products, and passing the purified products over catalytic material for converting the sulfur dioxid therein into sulfuric anhydrid, substantially as described.

8. The process of utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, by heating lthe sludge 1n presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a decom position of said sludge, withdrawing the solvent during said decomposition and wit-h it the hydrocarbons in solution therein, purifying the aeriform products of the decompo` sltion, and passing the purified products over catalytic material for converting the sulfur dioxid therein into sulfuric anhydrid, substantially as described.

9. Theprocess of utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge, by subjecting the sludge toA contact with air at a decomposing teinperature and theresulting aeriform products to operations for purifying the same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid therein, substantially as described.

10. The process of utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge, by subjecting the sludge to a decomposing temperature in the presence of air introduced into a body of the liquid sludge below the surface thereof and the resulting aeriform products to operations for fpurif ing the same and for ut1l1z1ng sul ur ioxid therein, substantially as described.

11. The process of 'utilizing the' sulfur content of acid sludge, by-decomposing the sludge in contact with air and at a temperature not above 425 F., and subjecting the resulting aeriform products to operations for purifying the same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid thereimsubstantiallyl as dcscribed.

12. The process of utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge, by heating the sludge to effect its decomposition, and subjecting the resulting aeriform products to opera` tions for purifying the same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid therein vWhich-operations include contact with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable in order to remove constituents said solvent, substantially as described.

\ 13. The process of utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge, by heating the sludge sufficiently to effect a partial decomposition of it, Washing liquid hydrocarbons out oi the residual sludge, heating the latter to effect its decomposition, and subjecting the aeriform products from at least the latter decomposition to operations for urifying the same and for utilizing sulfur dloxid therein,

,substantially as described.

14. The processof utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge, by heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a partial decomposition of said sludge, separating saidl solvent with the hydrocarbons in solution therein -from the residual sludge, heating the latter to effect its decomposition, and subjecting the aeriform products from at least the latter decomposition to operations for purifying the -same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid therein, substantially as described.

15. The process of utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge, by heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a decomposition of said sludge, and subjecting the-resulting aeriform products to operations for purifying the same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid therein, substantially as described.

16. The process of utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge, by heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a decomposition of said sludge, withdrawing the solvent during said decomposition and with it the hydrocarbons in solution therein, and subjecting aeriform products of said decomposition to operations for purifying the same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid therein,substantially as described.

' 17. The process of making sulfur dioxid, by subjecting acid sludge to contact with absorbable by a1r at a decomposing temperature and the resulting aeriform products to operations for utilizing their content ofnsulfurl dioxid,

' solvent the same, and collecting .the

for purifyin n ucts. in a manner appropriate purified pro substantially as described.

.18. The process of makingsulfur dioxid,I

by subjecting acid sludge to a decomposing temperature in the presence of air introduced into a body of the liquid sludge'be-v lotv the surface thereof and the resulting aeriform products to operations for purifying `the same, and collecting the purified roducts in a manner appropriate for utilizing their contentof sulfur dioxid, substantially as described.

19. The process of making sulfur dioxid, by decomposing acid sludge in contact with air ata temperature not above 425 F., subjecting operations for purifying thesame, and collect-ing the purified products in a manner appropriate for utilizin sulfur dioxid, substantia ly as described.

20. The process of making sulfur dioxid, by heating acid sludgeto edect itsdecomposition, subjecting the resulting aeriform products to purifying operations, which' include contact with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable in order to remove constituents absorbable by said solvent, `and collecting the purified products ina manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substantially as describedi 21. The process of making sulfur dioxid, by heating acid sludge @Effect a partial decomposition of it Washing hydrocarbons out of the residual sludge, heating the tion, subj cting the aeriform products from at least the latter decomposition to operations for purifying the same, and collecting the purified ioducts in a manner appropriate fornutilizing their content Iof. sulfur dioxid, substantially as described.

22. The process of making sulfur .dio-Xid,

'by heating acid sludge in presence off' a of hydrocarbons to effect .a partial decomposition of said sludge, separating said solvent with' the hydrocarbons in solution therein from thev residual sludge, heating the latter to eect its decomposition, subjectin the aeriform least theatter decomposition to operations for purifying the same, and collecting the purifiedl roducts in a manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substantiadlly as described.

23. The process of making sulfur dioxid, by heating acid sludge in presence of a `solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a decomposition of said sludge, subjecting the resulting aeriform products to operations for purify-v ing the same, and collecting the purified products in a manner appropriate for utiliztion of said sludge,

by lsubjecting acid sludge to the resulting aeriforinproducts to their content of the liquid latter to e'ect its decomphosifproducts from at in their content of sulfur dioxid, substan tia ly as described.

24. lThe process of making sulfur dioxid, by heating lacid sludge in resence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to e ect a decomposiwithdrawing the solvent during 'said decomposition and Withit the hydrocarbons in solution therein, subjecting the aeriform'products of the decomposition to operations for,v purifying the same, and

collecting the purified products in a manner appropriate of sulfur dioxid, substantially as described;

25. The process of making sulfur dio'xid,

air at a decomposing temperature, and cola manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioXid, substantially as described. f

26. The process of making sulfur dioxiil,v

by subjecting acid sludge to a decomposing temperature in the resence of air introduced into a body o the liquid sludge below the surface thereof, and collectingtlie resulting 'aeriform products in a manner appropriate vfor utilizing their content 'of sulfur dioxid, substantially as described.

27. The process of making sulfur dioxid, by decomposing acid sludge in contact with lair at a temperature not above 425 F., and collectingv the 'resulting aeriform products ina manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioXid, substantially as described.

28. The process of making sulfur dioxid, by heating acid sludge to eiect a partial decomposition of it, Washing the liquid hydrocarbons out of the residual sludge,

by heating -acid sludge in presence of a solvent'of hydrocarbons to effect a partialv decomposition of said sludge, separating said solvent with the hydrocarbons in solution therein from the residual "sludge, vheating thelatter to e'ect its decomposition, and

collecting the aeriform products from' at p their content ofy Y sulfur dioxid, substantially as described.

.- 29. The process of making sulfur dioxid,L

for utilizing their'content contact with 80 lecting the resulting aeriform products in.

least `the latter decomposition in a manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substantially as described.

30. VThe process of making sulfur dioxid, by heating acid sludge in presence vof a solvent of hydrocarbons to-eEe'ct a decomposition of saidl sludge, and collecting the aeriform products of the decompositionin a manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substantially a's described.

31. .The process of making sulfur dioxid,

by heatin acid sludge in presence of a solvent of ydrocarbons to effect a decomposition4 of said sludge, withdrawing the solvent during said decomposition and with it the hydrocarbons in solution therein, and collecting the aeriform products of said de compositlon in a manner atppropriate for utilizing their content of sul ur dioxid, substantially 'as described.

` 3,2.- The process of separating components of acid sludge from each other, by subjecting the 4sludge to contact with composing temperature, whereby aeriform products utilizable for either or both their sulfur and their hydrocarbon contents and a residue utilizable for its carbon content are obtained, substantially as described.

33. The process of separating components of acid sludge from each other, by subjecting e sludge to a decomposing temperature in the presence of air introduced into a body of t e li uid sludge below the surface. thereof, where y aeriform products utilizable for either or both their sulfur and their hydrocarbon contents and a resi-y due utilizable for its carbon content are obtained, substantially as described.

34. The process of separating components of acid sludge from each other, by decomposing the sludge in contactwlth air at a temperature not above 425 F., whereby aeriform products utilizable for either or both their sulfur and their hydrocarbon contents and a residue utilizable for its carbon content are obtained, substantially as described.

35. The process of separating components of acid sludge from each other, by heatin the sludge .to effect its decomposition, an subjecting the resulting aeriform products to-operations which include contact with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable, whereby a mixture of aeriform fluids utilizable for its sulfur content, a hydrocarbon content, and a residue utilizable for its carbon content are obtained, substantially asdescribed.

36. The process of separating components of acid sludge vfrom each other, by decomposing the sludge at a temperature too low to drive off the hydrocarbons formed by the decom osition, and washing the liquid hydrocar ons out of the residual slud e, whereby aeriforml products utilizable or their sulfur content, a liquid utilizable for its hydrocarbon content, and a residue ,utilizable for its carbon content are ob-l tained, substantially as described.

V37. The process of separating components of acid sludge from each other, by heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to eect a decomposition of` said sludge, and separating vsaid solvent with the hydrocarbons in solution therein `from air at a de-' the residual sludge, whereby aeriform products utilizable for their sulfur content, a liquid' utilizable for its hydrocarbon content, and a residue utilizable for its carbon content are obtained, substantially as described.

38. The process of separating com onents of acid sludge from each other, by eating the sludge in resence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to e ect a decomposition of said sludge, and withdrawing the solvent during said decomposition and with it the hydrocarbons in solution therein, whereby aeriform products utilizable for their sulfur content, a liquid utilizable for its hydrocarbon content, and a residue utilizable for its carbon content are obtained, substantially as described.

39. The process of separating components of acid sludge from each other, by partially decomposing the sludge at a temperature too low to drive oil the hydrocarbons formed by the decomposition, washing the li uid hydrocarbons out of the residual slu ge, and eiecting a further decomposition lof ter, for their sulfur content, aeriform products the l" t-` Whereby aeriform products utilizale utilizable for either or both their sulfur and their hydrocarbon contents, a liquid utilizable for its hydrocarbon content, and a residue utilizable for its carbon content are obtained, substantially as described.

40. The process of separating com onents of acid sludge from each other, by eating the sludge in presence of a liquid solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a partlal decomposition of said sludge, separating said solvent with the hydrocarbons'in solution' therein from the residual slud e, and effecting a further decomposition o the latter, whereby aeriform products utilizable for their sulfur content, aeriform products utilizable for either or both their sulfur and their hydrocarbon contents, a liquid utilizable for its hydrocarbon content, and a residue utilizable for its carbon content are obtained, substantially as described.

41. The process of separating components of acid sludge from each other, by heating the sludge in a partial vacuum to a decomposing temperature in contact with air whereby aeriform products utilizable for.

either or both their sulfur and their hydrocarbon contents and a residue utilizable for its carbon content are obtained, substanf tially as described.

42. The process of separating components of acid sludge from each other, by heating the sludge in a partial vacuum to a decomposing temperature, whereby aeriform products utilizable for either or both their sulfur and their hydrocarbon contents, and a residue utilizable for its carbon content are obtained, substantially as described.

\ performed, .Substantially major axis of as described.

. 44. The processof'separating componentsl -of acid sludge from each other,`by heating the sludge toadecom osmg temperature 1n the presence 4of aeri orm uid introduced into they vesselwherein the decom .osition is as .descri ed.

45. The process of separating ,components of acid sludge'from .each other, by heating the sludge ,to a decomposing temperature in the presence of aeriform fluid introduced into a body of the liquid sludge vbelow the surface thereof, substantially as described.

46. The process of separating components of acid sludge from each other, by heating the sludge to a decomposing temperature in a vessel of elliptical cross section with the the ellipse vertical, which vessel is only partly occupied by the body of sludge undergoing decomposition, so that a large space is left above said body of sludge into which the latter can rise in case of foaming, the shape of the vessel insuring a body of sludge and an overlying foam space which are each of them greater in its vertical and smaller in its horizontal dimensions than would be the case with a cylin` area of cross drical vessel of equal-length, section and supply of sludge, as described.

47. Apparatus substantially for utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, consisting of means for subjectingthe 'sludge to contact with air 4at a decomposing temperature, means forv purifying aeriform products from the decomposi'l means for puri i content ofl acid sludge tion of acid sludge, means for converting sulfuric dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid by catalysis, and connections whereby the aeriformv products from' 'the first mentioned means are delivered'to said purifying means and the purified products `from the latter are delivered to s aidjcatalyzing means, substantially as described.-

.48. Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur for making sulfuric anhydrid, consist-ing ofmeans for subjecting the sludge to`a decomposing temperature in the presence of air introduced into a body of the liquid slud e below.. the surface thereof, fg'y'in'g aeriform products from the decomposition of acid sludge, means for converting sulfur dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid bycatalysis, and connections where? by the aeriform, products from the first mentioned means are delivered to said'pur- 49. Apparatus for utilizin content of acid, sludge for ma anhydrid, consisting of 'means forheating the sludge to leffect its decomposition, means for pur1fying'ae`riform prduct'sffrom' the decomposlt-ion 5 of i acid `sludge which' means include appliances-"for bringing`l``4 said products linto contact' with a 4sc vent ofl hydrocarbons that. are notl readilyi co ndensable.4` in order to remove constituents..absorbable by ,said solvent, means for converting sulfur the; Sulfur ing-:sulfuric l dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid, and c'onn'ec# tions whereby the aeriform products from the irstj mentioned means are delivered to said purifying means and the purified products from the latter are delivered to said catalyzing means, substantially as described.

- 50. Apparatus hydrid, consisting of means for heating the sludge to effect a partial decomposition of it and for washing liquid hydrocarbons out of for utilizing the sulfur con-v tent'of acid sludge for making sulfuric an` the residual sludge and for heating the lat- 1 ter to eifect its decomposition, means for purifying aeriform products'from the decomposition of acid sludge, means for converting sulfur dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid, and connections whereby the aeriform prod; ucts from at least the second mentioned decomposition aredelivered to said purifying means and the vpurified products are delivered to said catalyzing means, as described.

` 51. Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, consisting of means for heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydro- Icarbons to effect a partial decomposition of said' sludge and for separating said solvent with 'the hydrocarbons in solution therein from the-.residual sludge and for heating vsaid 4 residual sludge to effect its decomposit1on,means f0r purifying aeriform products from the decomposition of acid sludge, means for converting sulfur dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid, and connections whereby the aeriform products from atleast the second mentioneddecomposition are delivered to saidv purifying means and the lpurified products are delivered to said catalyzing means., lsubstantially as described.

52. Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, consisting of means 'for heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a decomposition of said sludge and for withdrawing the solvent Aduring said decomposition and with it the hydrocarbons in solution therein, means for purifying aeriform products from the decomposition of acid sludge, means for convertingisu'lfur dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid, and connections whereby the aeriform products from the first mentioned decompositionare desubstantially livered lto said puriying means and the urified products are elivered to said catayzing means, substantially as described. 53. Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge, consist-ing of means for subjecting the sludge to Contact with air at a decomposing temperature, and means. including necessary connections, for subjecting the resulting aei'iform products to operations for purifying the same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid therein, substantially as described.

54. Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur cont tent of acid sludge, consisting of means for subjecting the sludge to a decomposing teniperatureV in tlie presence of air introduced into a body of the liquid sludge below the surface thereof, and means, including necessary connections, for subjecting the resulting 30, aeriform products to operations for purif ing the same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid therein, substantially as described.

55. Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge, consisting -of means for heating'the sludge to tion, and means, including necessary connections, for subjecting the resulting aeriform products to operations for .purifying the saine and for utilizing sulfur dioxid therein, which purifying means vinclude ap-` pliances for bringing said products into contact with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable in order to remove constituents absorbable by said solvent, substantially as described.

56. Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge, consisting of means for heating the sludge to effect a partial decomposition of it and for washing liquid hydrocarbo-ns out \of the residual sludge and for heating the latter to effect its decomposition, and meansz including necessary connections, for sii-bjecting the aeritorm, products from at least they latter decomposition to operations for purifying lthe .same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid therein, substantially as described.

57 Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge,consisting of meansr for 50 heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a partial decomposition of said sludge and for separating said solvent with the hydrocarbons in solution therein from.- the residual sludge and for heating the latter to etl'ect its decomposition, and means, including necessary connections, for subjecting aeriforni products from at least the latter decomposition to operations Vfor purifying the same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid therein, substantially as described.

58. Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur content of acidsludge, consisting of means for heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a decomposi- ..65 tion of said sludge and for withdrawing the effect its decompositially as described.

ltion of acid sludge,

' solvent during said decomposition and with it the hydrocarbons in solution therein, and means, including necessary connections, for subjecting aeriform products of saiddecomposition to operations for purifyin the same and for utilizing sulfur dioxid t erein. substantially as described.

59: Apparatus for making sulfur dioxid, consisting of means for subjecting acid lsludge to contact with air at a decomposing temperature, means for purifying aeriform products from the decomposition of acid sludge, connections wliereb the aeriform products from the first mentioned means are delivered to said purifying means, and connections for collecting the purified products in a manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substantially as described.

60. Apparatus for making sulfur dioxid, consist' g of means for subjecting acid sludge to a decomposing temperature in the presence of air introduced into a body of t-he -liquid sludge below the surface thereof,

means for puri ing aeriform products from the decomposition of acid sludge, connectionsvwhereby the aeriform products from the first mentioned means are delivered to said purifying means, and connections for collecting the purified products in a manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substantially as described.

6-1. Apparatus for making sulfur dioxid, consisting of means fo .heating acidsludge to effect itsdecomposition, means for purifying aeriform products from the decompositionl ofacid sludge, which purifying means include appliances for bringing the products into contact with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable in order to remove constituents absorbable by said solvent, connections whereby the aeriform products from the first mentioned means are delivered to said purifying means, and connections for collectingthe purified products in a manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substan- 62. Apparatus for making sulfur dioxid, consisting of means for heating acid sludge to elfect a-partial decomposition of it and for washing liquid hydrocarbons out of the residual sludge and for heating the latter to effect its decomposition, means for purifying aeriform products from the decomposiconnections whereby the aeriforni products from at least the second mentioned decomposition are delivered to said purifying means, and connections 4for collecting the purified products in a manner appropriate for utilizin their content of sulfur dioxid, substantialy as described.

63. Apparatus for making sulfur'dioxid, consisting of means for heating acid sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to los IIO

' and for separating said solvent, with i of sulfur dioxid,v

l a manner appropriate presence decomposition of said sludge the hydrocarbons in solution therein from theresidual sludge and for heating vthe latter to. iectv its decomposition means .for purifying aeriform products rom the decomposition of acidsludge, connections whereby the aeriform products from at least thefsecond mentioned decompositionI are`=.delivered to said purifying means, and connections for collecting the purified 'products in a man` ner.A appropriate for u`t1lizing 'their content substantially as described.

64. Apparatus for making Isulfur dioxid, consisting of means for heating acid sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to eect a decomposition of said sludge and for withdrawing the solvent during said decomposition and with it the hydrocarbons effect a partial `in solution therein, means for purifying aeriform products from the decomposition of acid sludge, connections whereby the aeriform products of said decomposition are delivered to said purijying means, and connections for collecting the purified products in forV utilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substantially as described.

m65. Apparatu consisting of for making sulfur dioxid, means for subjecting the sludge to contact with air at a decomposing temperature, and connections for collecting the aeriforrn products in a manner appropriate for vutilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substantially as described.

66. Apparatus for making sulfur dioxid, consisting of l means for subjecting the sludge to a decomposing temperature in the of air introduced into a body of the liquid sludge below the surface thereof, and connections for collecting the aeriform prodf ucts in a manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substantially as described. v 4

67. Apparatus for making sulfur diox'id, consisting of means for heating acid sludge to effect a partial decomposition of it and for washing liquid hydrocarbons out of the residual sludge "and for heating the latter to elieot its decomposition, and connections for collecting the aeriform products from at least the second mentioned decomposition in a manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioXid, substantially as described.

68. Apparatus for making sulfur dioxid, consisting of means for heating acid sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons lto effect a partial decomposition of'sa'id sludge and for separating said solvent with the hydrocarbons in solution therein from the effect its decomposition,

1ing gas utilizable for its su least the second mentioned decomposition in a manner ap ropriate for utilizing their content of sul ur dioxid, substantially as described.

69. Apparatus for making sulfur dioxid, consisting of means for heatin acid sludge in presence of a solvent of hy rocarbons to effect a decomposition of sald sludge and for withdrawing the solvent during said de- .composition'and with it the vhydrocarbonsv in solution therein, and connections for collecting the aeriform products of said decomposition in aA manner appropriate for utilizing their content of sulfur dioxid, substantially asdescribed. v

70. A paratus for separating components o acidv sludge from each other, con-n sisting Aof means for heating the sludge to means for subject-` ing aeriform products to operations which include contact with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable, and connections whereby the aeriform products from the first mentioned means are delivered to the second mentioned means, substantially as described.

71. Apparatus for separating components of acid sludge from each other, consisting presence eii'ect a of means for heating the sludge in Aof a solvent of hydrocarbons to decomposition of said sludge and for withdrawin the solvent during said de-v composition an with it the hydrocarbons in solution therein, substantially as described.

72. The process of makin a sulfur bearfur content, by heatingv sulfur -bearing oily material to evolve aeriform products, subjecting suc products .evolved below 500 F. to purifying operations which include contact with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable in order to remove constituents absorbable by .said solvent, and collecting the purified products'in a manner appropriate'for utilizing their content of sulfur, substantiallyas described.

73. The process of utilizing the sulfur content of acid sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, by heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a partial decomposition of the sludge, separating said solvent with the hydrocarbons in solution therein from the residual sludge, sub-- v'tions by operations which include contact of them with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable in order to remove constituents absorbable by said solvent, and passing the puried products over catalytic material for converting sulfur dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid, substantially as described.

74. Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur anhydrid, consisting of means for heating the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a partial decomposition of said sludge and for separating said solvent with the hydrocarbons in solution therein from the residual sludge and for v subjecting the latter to air at a decomposing temperature, means for purifying aeriform products from the decomposition of acid sludge by operations lwhich include contact of them with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable in order to remove constituents absorbable by said solvent, means for catalytically converting sulfur dioxid into sulfuric anhydrid, and connections whereby the aeriform products from both decompositions are delivered through said purifying means to v scribed.

said catalyzing means, substantially as de- 75. The process of utilizin the sulfur content of acid sludge `for ma ing sulfuric anhydrid, by heat-ing the sludge in presence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to effect a partial decomposition of the sludge at a temperature too low to drive off the hydrocarbons formed by the decomposition, withdrawing the solvent during sald decomposition and with it the hydrocarbons in solution therein, heating the residual sludge from which hydrocarbons have thus been washed to a decomposing tem erature not above 425? F.

" in a vessel of el iptical cross sectionwith the 0' air into the body of said residual sludge tical vessel at said decomposing temperature and under" partialvacuum 1n the upper art of said vessel, subjectin aeriform pro ucts thus evolved belowOO? and derived from both decompositions'to puriying operations which include contact of sai products with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable in order to remove constitu# 76. Apparatus for utilizing the sulfur.-

content of acid sludge for making sulfuric anhydrid, consisting of means for heating the sludge in resence of a solvent of hydrocarbons to e ect a partial decomposition of said sludge at a temperature too low to drive off the hydrocarbons formed by the decomposition and for withdrawing said solvent during said decomposition and with it the hydrocarbons in solution therein, means for heating the residual sludge from which hydrocarbons have thus been washed to ,a decolnposing'temperature not above 425 F. in a vessel of elli tical cross section with the major axis of tie ellipse vertical, which vessel is arranged to be only partly occupied by the' body of sludge undergoing decomposition, means for introducing air into the body of said residual sludge below the surface of the sludge in said elliptical vessel a't said decomposing temperature and under partial vacuum in the upper part of said vessel, means for purifyingaeriform products from they decomposition of acid sludge by operations which include contact of them with a solvent of hydrocarbons that are not readily condensable in order to remove cony stituents absorbable by said solvent., means for catal tically converting sulfur dioxid into sul uric anhydrid, and connections whereby aeriform products evolved belo` 500 F. and derived from both decompositions are delivered `through said purifyimcr means to said catalyzing means, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we aiiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN C. BLACK. MARVIN L. CHAPPELL.

Witnesses:

H. E. AINE, JAS. MCMILLAN. 

